Slip



Dec. 19, 1935. BURNS ET AL 2,023,663

SLIP

Filed Sept. 19. 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 171 we )7 for Fr Win Burns and Patented Dec. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE SLIP Application September 19, 1934, Serial No. 744,690

6 Claims.

This invention has to do with well drilling equipment and has particular reference to slips for use in the rotary table of a well drilling rig. A general object of the invention is to provide simple, practical and improved slips for supporting tubing or-pipe extending through a rotary table.

Another object of the invention is to provide effective slips each comprising two slip sections 3 connected so that they may be handled as a single unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide slips each comprising a plurality of relatively movable sections assembled and related so that :3 they may properly bear and seat in the bushing of a rotary table and conform to and efiectively engage a pipe or tubing extending through the table.

Another object of the invention is to provide y slips each comprising more than one slip section and connections between the sections which allow them to move toward and away from one another but which effectively prevent twisting, racking and relative longitudinal movement of the 25 sections.

Another object of the invention is to provide slips of the character mentioned in which each of the connected slip sections carries a readily replaceable liner for engaging the pipe or tubing.

:39 Another object of the invention is to provide slips embodying simple, inexpensive means for dependably holding replaceable liners against movement and displacement.

Another object of the invention is to provide slips of the character mentioned that are light in weight and easy to handle.

A further object of the invention is to provide slips of the character mentioned that embody improved handles.

The various objects and features of the present invention will be fully understood from a detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference may be had to the 5 accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top or plan view of a portion of a rotary table illustrating the slips of the present invention arranged in the master bushing of the table. Fig. 2 is an enlarged central longitudinal detailed sectional view of one of the slips removed from the table. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the outer side of one of the slips. Fig. 4 is an enlarged, transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the inner side of one of the Slips,

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 65 on Fig. 3, and Fig. 7 is an edge or side elevation of the handle of one of the slips showing it in the upright position. 5 The slips of the present invention are adapted to be arranged in the bushing of the rotary table of a well drilling rig to support a drill pipe or the like. In Fig. 1 of the drawings we have illustrated a typical rotary table T carrying a master l0 bushing B. A set of slips S of the character provided by the present invention are arranged in the bushing B to engage and support a pipe P extending through the rotary table. While the slips S may be used in sets of three or more it 15 has been found desirable and advantageous to construct the slips of the present invention for use in pairs or sets of two. The sectional construction of the slips and their relatively light Weight make it possible to use them in sets of two in situations where it has previously been necessary to employ slips in sets of three or more. The above advantage of the invention will become apparent from the following description. The slips S may be alike or identical and we will proceed with a detailed description of one slip S,

it being understood that the description applies to the other slip.

The slip S of this invention includes, generally, two sections l0, means H connecting the sections It] for limited play or relative movement, and replaceable liners I 2 on the sections Ill for engaging the pipe P.

The connected sections H] are adapted to be arranged or assembled in the opening of the bushing B to engage the pipe P. The two sections it of the slip are alike or similar in shape and are complementary to make up or comprise the body of the slip. The inner sides or surfaces of the sections iii are concave and cylindrically curved to carry the replaceable liners l2 as will be hereinafter described. The major portions l3 of the exteriors of the sections IQ are tapered downwardly and inwardly and are transversely curved to properly bear in the tapered opening of the bushing B. The outer or exterior surfaces it which extend upwardly from the major outer surfaces Hi to the tops of the sections may be inclined upwardly and inwardly as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The lower outer or exterior surfaces l5 of the sections 10 may .be inclined downwardly and inwardly at an increased angle.

The outer longitudinal sides or ends l6 of the sections Ill are preferably flat and vertical. When 5 LII the slips are in their operative positions in the bushing B the outer ends I6 of the sections III are substantially tangential to a relatively small circle concentric with the longitudinal axis of the bushing. The slips S are proportioned and related so that their adjacent opposing ends I6 are in spaced parallel relationship when the slips are in use. In practice large portions of the outer ends I6= may be bevelled awayas at. IFI; tomaterially lighten; the construction. In, accordance with the invention the sections ID are internally relieved or hollow, being provided with charm. bers or spaces I8. Because of the provision of the spaces I8 each of the bodies It consists of an inner wall I9 and an outer wall-20 connectedby a central longitudinal web 2I. Upper walls- 22: and lower end portions 23 also operate to connect the inner and outer walls I9 and 20a Vertically or longitudinally spaced ribs 24 are provided. at;

opposite sides of each web H and extend between theinner and outer walls It and 20 The webs 21' and the ribs 24 reinforce-the hollow sections I and: give them the necessary strength and in spaced relation. The inner or opposing ends ZS-may be substantially tangential to a relatively small circle concentric with thelongitudi-nalaxis of the bushing B. The opposing inner longitudinaledges-or ends 26 of the outer walls 20 may be verticat but are cut back so that an opening orspace of substantial width exists between them. The inner chambers or spaces I-8- of course join the space between the ends 26. The extreme lower endportions 23 of the sections It may be solid except for spaced recesses-.21. The topsor upper ends 28= of the sections ID are preferably fiat and horizontal. a

The means I I connects the twosections III- of V the slip'so that they maybe readily handled as a single unit and is such that the sections I 9 may work or move toward and away from one another during use. The means II includes an elongate longitudinally extending lug or rib 29' on each section I0. The ribs 29 project outwardly from the inner walls I9 and are inspaced'parallel relation with the inner ends 25 In practice the ribs 29- are integral with the sections I0 and are of substantial length. In the particular constructionillustrated in the drawings the ribs=29 extend downwardly from the upper ends 28 of the-sections Ill. The means I I includes connecting members in the formof pins or stud bolts 30 extending through horizontally aligned openings 31 in the ribs 29'. There are at least two bolts 30 provided to connect the sections I9. Nuts'32 are threaded on the opposite end portions of thebolts 30 to limit the relative movement between the sections I0. Keys 33 may look the nuts 32 against displacement; The bolts 30' are sh-iftable or slidable in the openings 3 I and the parts are relatedand proportioned so that the sections It: may have the desired relative horizontal play or movement. In accordance withtheinvention coiled springs 34 are arranged on the bolts 30- between the ribs 29 to yieldingly resist movement 'of the sections toward one another. The springs 34- may normally be under compression to exert outward forces on the sections I D. g It will be apparent; how the bolts 30 slidablyfitting the longitudinally spaced pairs'of openings 3I' prevent racking and twisting of the sections "land hold the sections against relative lateral and longitudinal movement. The springs 34 yieldingly resist the movement of the sections I 0 toward one another and may aid in freeing the slips from the pipe P when the pipe is elevated.

The invention includes an improved handle for facilitating the' carrying and handling of the slip S. The handle includesa shank- 35, extending downwardlybetween the upper end portions of the ribs 29. A pin 36 extends through openings 33 in the ribs 29 and an opening 3'! in the shank 35 to pivotally connect the handle with the slip. Nuts 33 may be threaded on the pin 36 and may be locked. against. displacement by keys 39. Sufficient; clearance is provided between the shank 35 and the ribs 29 to allow for the desired relative movement between the sections Ill. The pin 36 aidsthe-bolts in connecting the sections I 0 and in preventingtwisting and other undesirable rela- 20 tivemovement of the. sections.

Themajorportion ofwthe handle of the. slip. is substantially triangular in plan. elevation as will be evident from an inspection of. Fig. 1 of: the-v drawings. The handl'elincludes twobranches or armsnw divergingrfrom the shank and a trans-. verse member or portion 4I joining the outer ends of thearms. 40; Braces or supports 42; extend between and connect the portion 4:I and. the: arms 40. The supports 42 may be in planes substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the. DUI-1 tion 41;. In accordance with the. invention the supports- 42v are curved or bowedg downwardly. to engage the table T to. hold'the handle elevated; from the. table. so. that it may be readilyengaged when itis inits lowermost position. The handle just described: isproportioned so. that it cannot pass downwardly through the opening in: the bushing Bintheevent that the slip.S .falls through theopening. The. greatest or outermost dimene 40 sion. of. the. handle is greater than the diameter of the opening. in the bushing B- sothat the handle cannot passthrough. the. opening in the. bushing.

' The liners. I12 are arranged: on the. inner sides of the sections In to engage the pipe R. The 45 liners. 12'. are. thewear receiving elements. of the slip and are preferably hardened: In the pre-.

ferred form of-the invention. there. isone liner I2 provided on each sectipn II! to cover the major portion ofi its inner side. Channels extend horlzontally. or'circumferentially across. the inner sides of the sections. lit. and their upper and lower walls form shoulders 41k and 4:5. The. shoulders 4.4; {5' are. undercut, that is, the shoulder is inclined upwardly and outwardly and the shoulder 45 is inclined downwardlyand outwardly. The shoulders t4: and 4.5. preferably extend be tween theopposite ends I.6:.and.-' 25. of the sections ID. The liners I2 are adapted to be. introduced or passed inwardly between the shoulders .4; and 0 from the outer or free ends I6. The. upper and lower ends. 451 of the liners. I2 are pitched or inclined to. cooperate. with the shoulders 44: and 45 and lock the liners against inward detachment from the sections. Ii). The liners t2 bear against the inner sides. of the sections ii! and. the contacting surfaces of the liners and sections I2 are preferably concentrically curved about the central longitudinal axis of the bushing B. The opposite longitudinal edges 4? of the liners l 2 may be flush with the opposite ends It and 25 of the body sections. Gripping parts or teeth 48 are provided on the liners IZ- t9 engage and grip the pipe P. The teeth 48 extendcircumferent ially or hori-' 'zontally and present upwardly facing edges for 76 biting into the pipe P when the pipe is supported by the slips.

The invention provides novel and efiective means for removably retaining or locking the liners E2 in position on the sections [0. The liner retaining means includes partially circular notches 49 in the opposite ends of each liner l2. Horizontal openings 5!! extend through the upper portions 22 and similar horizontal openings 51 extend through the lower portions 23 of the sections Ill. The openings 59 and 5! are in alignment or register with the notches 49 and have counter bores 52 in their inner ends. The counter bores 52 extend through the shoulders 44 and 45 and oppose or directly communicate with the notches 49. Removable lock pins 53 are arranged in the openings 5d and 55 and are provided with heads 54. The heads 5 of the lock pins seat in the counter bores 52 and cooperate with the notches 49 to hold the liners l2 against detachment from the sections it). Screws or keys 55 may be passed through openings in the pins 53 to retain the pins in position. The heads 54 of the lock pins cooperating with the notches 49 prevent lateral or horizontal movement of the liners l2 in both directions while the shoulders 44 and 45 hold the liners against longitudinal and inward movement.

It is believed that the utility and practicability of the slips provided by the present invention will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed descriptions. The sections IU of the slips S are internally relieved and are cut away at their opposite ends to be light in weight so that the slips may be easily and conveniently handled. The handles are shaped and constructed to facilitate the carrying and manipulating of the slips and are proportioned so that they cannot pass downwardly through the opening in the bushing B and thus prevent the slips from falling into the well. The supports 42 are adapted to engage the bushing or table T to hold the handle portions 4| spaced above the tables for convenient engagement. As there are only two slips S embodied in the set they may be quickly arranged in the bushing B about the pipe P. The slips S operate to support the pipe P in the bushing B in the well known manner. The liners l2 may be readily and quickly replaced when worn. To remove a liner l2 for replacement, the keys 55 are disengaged from the lock pins 53 and the lock pins are withdrawn from the openings 59 and 5|. Following the withdrawal of the lock pins 53 the liners l2 may be readily withdrawn from the free or outer ends it of the sections lil. It is believed that it will be apparent how the new or replacement liners l2 may be introduced or passed between the shoulders 44 and 45 from the outer or free end 16 of the body sections Ill and secured in position by the pins 53.

The means I l connecting the sections ll! of the slips allows limited horizontal play or movement between the sections. Because of their ability to shift or move relative to one another the sections iii may properly seat in the bushing B and cooperate with the pipe P. The spaced bolts 30 and the pin 35 prevent twisting or undesirable relative movement between the sections In. The springs 34 operate to prevent undesirable movement between the sections In when the slips are being carried or handled and may act to free or release the slips from the pipe P and the opening in the bushing B when the pipe is raised. The nuts 32 and 38 may be easily removed from 5 the bolts 30 and pin 36 when it becomes desirable or necessary to disconnect the sections l0.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of our invention, we do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific form 1 and application herein set forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. A slip of the character described including a body section having spaced opposed undercut shoulders, a removable liner inserted between the shoulders, the ends of the liner being bev- 2o eled to cooperate with the shoulders, there being notches in the ends of the liner, and lock pins removably connected with the body section and cooperating with the notches.

2. A slip of the character described including a body section having spaced opposed undercut shoulders, a removable liner inserted between the shoulders, the ends of the liner being beveled to cooperate with the shoulders, there being notches in the ends of the liner, and openings in the section at the shoulders, pins in the openings cooperating with the notches, and means removably locking the pins in place.

3. A slip of the character described including a body section having spaced opposed undercut shoulders, a removable liner inserted between the shoulders, the ends of the liner being beveled to cooperate with the shoulders, there being notches in both ends of the liner, and openings in the section at the shoulders, removable pins in the openings, heads on the pins cooperating with the notches, and means locking the pins in Place.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a slip, and a handle for the slip comprising a shank connected with the slip, arms diverging outwardly from the shank, a transverse portion extending between and connecting the arms to form a substantially triangular handle structure, and a downwardly projecting member on said structure adapted to engage a support to space the said structure from the support for ready engagement by the user.

5. In apparatus of the character described a slip, and a handle for the slip comprising a shank connected with the slip, arms diverging outwardly from the shank, a transverse portion connecting the outer ends of the arms, and braces extending between the arms and said portion and projecting downwardly to space the handle from 60 a support.

6. In apparatus of the character described a sl p, and a handle for the slip comprising a shank connected with the slip, arms diverging outwardly from the shank, and a transverse portion conmeeting the arms to provide a substantially triangular handle structure, said handle structure being of greater width than the slip.

ERWIN BURNS. HARRY P. WICKERSHAM. 

